A Special Smile

So I was asked a question today, and the question was "What is something that you experienced in Haiti that is still affecting you?". Wow what a massive, difficult question. But as I thought about it for a few minutes, I recalled one conversation I had with Dr. Manno. He explained something to me that has changed the way I view every single person every day. Dr. Manno's personal underlying mission as a doctor is to treat every patient, every person he meets with dignity and respect. He makes a full out effort to make full eye contact, to pull out a smile, and acknowledge everyone he meets. His goal is to give the silent message of 'you are special' and 'you are worth my time and attention'. He said it makes such a difference in the lives of people that don't usually recieve that kind of respect and love.
It got me thinking, because that is such a simple thing, to look someone in the eye and smile, why can't I do it? But it is an incredibly hard thing to do. Do you know how many people I've tried to smile at on the street to say hi to? TONS! How many have ever responded? Maybe five, if that. People in North America have taken the 'Stranger Danger' lesson to heart. They can't seem to look at anyone they don't know. Why is it so hard? I think it is because the eye is an incredibly open and vulnerable place, and people are guarded. When you look someone in the eye, you are looking through 'the window to the soul'. It makes people uncomfortable, therefore they avoid it.
But despite people avoiding my eyes, I still live each and every day now, trying to let each person that I see know that I care. Let them know that I see them, and realize that they matter. My hope is that they are left with the feeling that they are special, because they are special.
It's all done with a special smile.